As Poland gears up for their crucial match against the Netherlands, significant lineup changes have been announced due to a string of injuries plaguing key players. Despite maintaining a calm demeanor in press meetings, head coach Michał Probierz’s plans for the European Championship have been severely disrupted.
Key Absences
Star striker Robert Lewandowski is ruled out for the Netherlands clash, and it’s uncertain if he will recover from his hamstring injury in time for the second group stage match against Austria on June 21. Additionally, defender Paweł Dawidowicz, who was expected to be a cornerstone of Poland’s defense, is also sidelined with a persistent injury. Adding to the woes, forward Karol Świderski has been struggling with an ankle issue, though there is hope he might play against the Netherlands.
Dawidowicz, unfortunately, has been plagued by injuries that have kept him from participating in major events for the national team over recent years. His last significant appearance was in a playoff match against Wales in March this year, where he performed admirably over 120 minutes.
Replacement Strategies
Probierz is likely to replace Dawidowicz with Bartosz Salamon from Lech Poznań, who has impressed with his confidence and composure despite limited national team experience. In the absence of Lewandowski, Adam Buksa, who has had a successful season with Antalyaspor, scoring 16 goals, is expected to lead the attack. Buksa’s inclusion follows a series of unfortunate injuries to other forwards, including Arkadiusz Milik.
Karol Świderski’s injury situation appears more optimistic. Despite a peculiar ankle injury during the celebration of a goal against Turkey, Świderski has resumed training with the team, although his participation from the start remains uncertain.
Rising Star
One of the standout performers from the recent training camp is young midfielder Kacper Urbański. He has seized opportunities arising from injuries to key players, showcasing his skill and determination in friendly matches. Urbański’s proactive play and leadership on the field have earned him Probierz’s trust, making his potential start against the Netherlands a logical choice.
Predicted Lineup
Poland is expected to field the following lineup against the Netherlands on June 16 at 15:00:
Poland:
- Wojciech Szczęsny (GK)
- Jan Bednarek
- Bartosz Salamon
- Jakub Kiwior
- Przemysław Frankowski
- Jakub Piotrowski
- Bartosz Slisz
- Piotr Zieliński
- Nicola Zalewski
- Kacper Urbański
- Adam Buksa